ITHEMBA FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Ria Pieters (founder of Ithemba)

Ria Pieters, an accountant at a local church, started a skills development program for woman in the community a number of years ago. This grew into a crèche, upon which grew an afterschool program, Grade R class and the Lüõ House. “Poverty has left a very large group of children in the Jeffreys Bay Township with little or no food and no safe place to stay during the day.” To address this need we started Ithemba Family Support Centre. We strive to equip the vulnerable children, of the Tokyo Sexwale and Ocean View communities to rise above their circumstances, through Christian-based education, caretaking and guidance. Through our crèche, after school program and the Lüõ House, we offer every resource that a child might need to reach their full potential. Each child receives food medical care; Biblical teaching, education and most importantly love! Our primary aim is to create a stimulating and loving environment for the children. They receive a balanced meal each day as well as medical care if needed. The after school program provides children with tutoring and help with their homework as well as extracurricular activities. Lüõ House is a registered Foster Care which can accommodate 8 children. When abuse or neglect is noted, a social worker investigates the situation and contacts the Department of Social welfare, who then under certain circumstances place the child into foster care. “I realize that we cannot help everyone, but we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of a few children. While I am able to help, I will do my utmost best.”